Bicyclists from all around will be coming together Saturday for the 36th annual El Tour de Tucson.
Despite the event, Tucson is already well known for being bike friendly and bike dense.
For drivers on the road, however, bicyclists can be a cause of stress. Dennis Kruse, an avid biker, said clearing up rules bicyclists have to follow could help relieve problems that arise.
El Tour is this weekend and you’ve probably seen bicyclists out getting ready. Here are some safety tips for #drivers and #bicyclists to co-exist -MORE on @kgun9 at 6. https://t.co/OFhVJdLJFd
— Veronica Acosta (@VeronicacostaTV) November 16, 2018
Kruse said the biggest takeaway for both drivers and bicyclists is when they are on the road, they are treated equally.
RELATED: Sun Tran to detour for El Tour de Tucson
"Cars can be like bicyclists, drivers can be a little bit unpredictable so this is one thing that we as bicyclists need to remember -- that when we are riding on the highways or the roads, city streets, we assume all the same rights as a car driver," Kruse said.
RELATED: Tucson is ranked 24th among the "50 Best Bike Cities in America"
When it comes to riding on the road, Kruse said, there is a specific place bicyclists should remain.
"So when a bicyclist is riding on the streets or on the roads, if there is a designated bike lane we do need to be in there because that is considered our space," said Kruse.
However, if there is no bike lane, then the three furthest feet to the right in a lane belong to the bicyclist. At that point, drivers and bicyclists are forced to share the road.
Besides that, cyclists must follow all of the same rules of the road drivers follow. They must ride at or below the speed limit, travel in the same direction as traffic and even stop at stop signs and traffic signals.
The only time these events don't apply is when there is an event like El Tour de Tucson. During El Tour, street closures are put in place to protect the safety of bicyclists.
RELATED: El Tour de Tucson brings a new route and new road closures
Perimeter Bicycling puts on the event annually, you can find more information here.
